Contact a staff member at your Girl Scout council to find out how to
refer the girl and her parent/guardian to experts at school or in the community.
Share your concern with the girl’s family, if this is feasible.
If you believe a child is at risk and it is not feasible to share
your concern with her family, get the information you need to make a report.
How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment:
National: The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is staffed 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, with professional crisis counselors who
have access to emergency, social service, and support resources. All
calls are anonymous. Contact them at (800) 4-A-CHILD or (800)
422-4453.
Colorado: The Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect
Hotline, 844-CO-4-Kids.
The hotline serves as a direct, immediate and efficient route to the
counties, which are responsible for accepting and responding to child
abuse and neglect inquiries and reports. All hotline calls will be
routed to the county where a child resides.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND REPORTING POLICY
Maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for children
participating in Girl Scouts of Colorado programs is the top priority
and the responsibility of all employees and volunteers. Any actions
which could harm or endanger a child are strictly prohibited, and all
suspected child abuse must be reported immediately. Sexual advances,
improper touching, and sexual activity of any kind with girl members,
as well as physical, verbal and emotional abuse of girls is strictly
forbidden. Girl Scouts of Colorado has zero tolerance for all forms of
abuse. Suspected child abuse by an employee, volunteer, or any other
party engaging with Girl Scouts must be reported immediately to the
Chief Risk Management Officer at risk.management@gscolorado.org.
If an employee or volunteer believes a girl is in immediate danger,
they should call 911 immediately.
The Girl Scouts of Colorado will not tolerate:
• Infliction of any abusive behavior or bodily injury upon children;
including sexual and physical abuse or molestation.
• Neglect of children, including failure to provide adequate safety
measures, care, and
supervision in relation to Girl Scout activities; or
• Emotional maltreatment of children, including verbal abuse and/or
verbal attacks.
Additional information and definitions on the types of abuse can be
found by following the below links:
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Child
Trafficking
The Girl Scouts of Colorado reserves the right to refuse membership,
to dismiss, or to exclude from affiliation with the Girl Scouts of
Colorado, any employee or volunteer who has been convicted of child
abuse or neglect.
Alleged Abuse by Employee or Volunteer
If you have reason to suspect an employee or volunteer of child
abuse or neglect, immediately notify the Chief Risk Management Officer
at risk.management@gscolorado.org
of the suspicion. They will guide you to complete an incident report.
The Chief Risk Management Officer will make a report to the
applicable Department of Human Services and/or police within 24 hours
of receiving the report. They will stay in communication and follow-up
with the authorities on the status of the investigation. The employee
or volunteer suspected of child abuse will be removed from any duties
that require contact with children during the investigation. Other
appropriate action may be taken, up to and including termination of
employment or volunteer role.
All employees are required to sign an acknowledgement that they have
read and understand their responsibility to report any suspected child
abuse. Any employee who is found to have violated this policy and
procedure will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and
including termination of employment.
GSCO does not tolerate retaliation. No one who in good faith reports
a violation shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence.
